Boot having a Lace Layer

ABSTRACT

A boot includes a sole, an upper and an inner lining. The upper is connected to the sole and cooperates with the sole to define an accommodating space that is adapted for receiving a human foot therein. The upper includes a vamp portion that is connected to the sole, and a shaft portion that extends upwardly from a top end of the vamp portion and that includes at least one ventilating lace layer and a rear supporting strap disposed on and connected to the lace layer and adapted to be corresponding in position to a heel part of the human foot. The rear supporting strap extends upwardly from the top end of the vamp portion so as to support the lace layer to stand in an upright direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510186290.8, filed on Apr. 20, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a boot, and more particularly to a boot having a lace layer.

BACKGROUND

In general, major design considerations for boots such as cowboy boots and Wellington boots are functionality and fitness. A conventional boot includes a sole and an upper that is connected to the sole, that has a shaft portion, and that cooperates with the sole to define an L-shaped accommodating space for receiving a human foot and a lower part of a human leg therein. The upper is made of a material which has high hardness and low ductility (e.g. calfskin leather) so as to allow the shaft portion to stand in an upright direction. The upper is not formed with a series of holes and/or eyelets for a bootlace to extend therethrough. Therefore, the size of the accommodating space is not adjustable.

However, it is desirable to modify the upper of the conventional boot, such as by connecting a stiff textile material (e.g., calfskin leather) with a soft fabric material (e.g., lace fabric), to improve ventilation of the accommodating space and enhance aesthetic appearance of the conventional boot.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a boot having a lace layer which provides better ventilation and improves aesthetic appearance.

According to the disclosure, the boot includes a sole and an upper. The upper is connected to the sole and cooperates with the sole to define an accommodating space that is adapted for receiving a human foot therein. The upper includes a vamp portion that is connected to the sole, and a shaft portion that extends upwardly from a top end of the vamp portion and that includes at least one ventilating lace layer and a rear supporting strap disposed on and connected to the lace layer and adapted to be corresponding in position to a heel part of the human foot. The rear supporting strap extends upwardly from the top end of the vamp portion so as to support the lace layer to stand in an upright direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a boot according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first embodiment taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a modification of connection between a top supporting strap and a rear supporting strap of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating another modification of the connection between the top supporting strap and the rear supporting strap of the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a variation of a shaft portion of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating another variation of the shaft portion of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating still another variation of the shaft portion of the first embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of the boot according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of a boot according to the disclosure is shown to include a sole 1, an upper 2 and an inner lining 3.

The sole 1 includes a top surface 11.

The upper 2 is connected to the sole 1 and cooperates with the sole 1 to define an L-shaped accommodating space 4 that is adapted for receiving a human foot therein. The upper 2 includes a vamp portion 21 that is connected to the sole 1, and a shaft portion 22 that extends upwardly from a top end of the vamp portion 21.

The shaft portion 22 includes a ventilating lace layer 221, a rear supporting strap 222, two side supporting straps 223, a top supporting strap 224, two side decorative strips 225, and a top decorative strip 226.

The rear supporting strap 222 is disposed on and connected to the lace layer 221, and is adapted to be corresponding in position to a heel part of the human foot. To be more specific, the rear supporting strap 222 is disposed on and connected to an inner side surface of the lace layer 221. Alternatively, in other variations of the embodiment, the rear supporting strap 222 may be disposed on and connected to an outer side surface of the lace layer 221.

The side supporting straps 223 are disposed on and connected to the inner side surface of the lace layer 221, and are adapted for corresponding respectively in position to two lateral sides of the human foot. The rear supporting strap 222 and the side supporting straps 223 are spaced apart from one another, extend upwardly from the top end of the vamp portion 21, and cooperate to support the lace layer 221 to stand in an upright direction (i.e., the side supporting straps 223 cooperate with the rear supporting strap 222 to support the lace layer 221 to stand in the upright direction). The rear supporting strap 222 has a smooth inner surface 227 adapted for the human foot to slide smoothly along the smooth inner surface 227 and into the accommodating space 4.

The top supporting strap 224 is disposed on and connected to a top end of the lace layer 221, and is connected to top end portions of the rear supporting strap 222 and the side supporting straps 223 by stitching. The top supporting strap 224 has a smooth inner surface 229. Alternatively, the top supporting strap 224 may not be connected to the side supporting straps 223 for reducing the amount of material used for the side supporting straps 223.

The side decorative strips 225 are disposed on and connected to an outer side surface of the lace layer 221, and correspond in position to the side supporting straps 223, respectively.

The top decorative strip 226 is disposed on and connected to the outer side surface of the lace layer 221 and adjacent to the top end of the lace layer 221.

The inner lining 3 is disposed on an inner side surface of the vamp portion 21 of the upper 2, and is made of a wear-resistant material.

In this embodiment, the rear supporting strap 222 is formed integrally with the top supporting strap 224. However, a method for interconnecting the rear supporting strap 222 and the top supporting strap 224 is not restricted. As shown in FIG. 5, in a modification of this embodiment, a top end portion of the rear supporting strap 222 is sewn to and covers a bottom end portion of the top supporting strap 224. As shown in FIG. 6, in another modification, the bottom end portion of the top supporting strap 224 is sewn to and covers the top end portion of the rear supporting strap 222.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the fabrication technique for interconnecting the top surface 11 of the sole 1 and the vamp portion 21 of the upper 2 is well-known to those skilled in the art, so that the details will not be illustrated herein for the sake of brevity.

In this embodiment, the shaft portion 22 further includes a mesh layer 228 disposed on the inner side surface of the lace layer 221 (see FIG. 4), and the vamp portion 21 of the upper 2 is made of calfskin leather. In some examples, the vamp portion 21 may be made of, for example but not limited to, synthetic leather, fabric, or plastic material. The rear supporting strap 222, the side supporting straps 223 and the top supporting strap 224 are made of, for example but not limited to, calfskin leather. Selectively, the rear supporting strap 222, the side supporting straps 223 and the top supporting strap 224 may be made of different materials. That is to say, the rear supporting strap 222 may be made of a material different from those of the side supporting straps 223. In this embodiment, the top supporting strap 224 is sewn to the top decorative strip 226, and each of the side supporting straps 223 is sewn to a respective one of the side decorative strips 225. The side decorative strips 225 and the top decorative strip 226 are made of the calfskin leather which is the same as that used for the vamp portion 21, but materials other than the calfskin leather may be used based on different design considerations.

It should be noted that the configuration of the shaft portion 22 is not limited to that shown in this embodiment. Alternatively, the number of the mesh layer 228 or the lace layer 221 may be more than one. For example, the shaft portion 22 may include a plurality of the lace layers 221 (not shown). In other variations of the embodiment, configuration and position of the mesh layer 228 and the lace layer 221 may be changed based on different design requirements. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the mesh layer 228 is disposed on the outer side surface of the lace layer 221. As shown in FIG. 8, the shaft portion 22 includes two mesh layers 228 respectively disposed on the inner side surface and the outer side surface of the lace layer 221. In one example, the shaft portion 22 may include two lace layers 221 respectively disposed on an inner side surface and an outer side surface of the mesh layer 228. In another example, the shaft portion 22 may include one lace layer 221 and two mesh layers 228 disposed on the inner side surface of the lace layer 221 (not shown). Moreover, the lace layer 221 may have only one color or a plurality of colors. As shown in FIG. 9, in another variation, the lace layer 221 is configured as a mesh layer 228 embroidered with a lace pattern.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be noted that the side supporting straps 223 and the side decorative strips 225 may be omitted in other embodiments based on actual design considerations.

To sum up, the upper 2 of the boot is fabricated by connecting the vamp portion 21 and the shaft portion 22, which are made of different materials. The vamp portion 21 is adapted for enclosing a portion of the human foot below the ankle, and the shaft portion 22 is adapted for surrounding the lower part of the human leg above the ankle. The lace layer 221 of the shaft portion 22 not only improves ventilation of the accommodating space 4, but also enhances aesthetic appearance of the boot, and may also satisfy stylish demand of a user. Furthermore, the smooth inner surface 227 of the rear supporting strap 222 allows the human foot to slide smoothly into or out of the accommodating space 4.

Referring to FIG. 10, a second embodiment of the boot according to the disclosure is similar to that of the first embodiment. The difference resides in that the top end portion of the rear supporting strap 222 is not connected to the top supporting strap 224. This configuration reduces the amount of the material used for the rear supporting strap 222, but is still capable of achieving the same supporting function as the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the boot is not limited to a cowboy boot as illustrated in this disclosure, and may be a Wellington boot or other type of boots.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A boot comprising: a sole; and an upper connected to said sole and cooperating with said sole to define an accommodating space that is adapted for receiving a human foot therein, said upper including a vamp portion that is connected to said sole, and a shaft portion that extends upwardly from a top end of said vamp portion and that includes at least one ventilating lace layer and a rear supporting strap disposed on and connected to said lace layer and adapted to be corresponding in position to a heel part of the human foot, said rear supporting strap extending upwardly from the top end of said vamp portion so as to support said lace layer to stand in an upright direction.
 2. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rear supporting strap of said shaft portion is disposed on and connected to an inner side surface of said lace layer and has a smooth inner surface adapted for the human foot to slide smoothly along said smooth inner surface and into said accommodating space.
 3. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes two side supporting straps disposed on and connected to the inner side surface of said lace layer, adapted for corresponding respectively in position to two lateral sides of the human foot, extending upwardly from the top end of said vamp portion, and cooperating with said rear supporting strap to support said lace layer to stand in the upright direction.
 4. The boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein said shaft portion further includes two side decorative strips disposed on and connected to an outer side surface of said lace layer and corresponding in position to said side supporting straps, respectively.
 5. The boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein said rear supporting strap is made of a material different from those of said side supporting straps.
 6. The boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein said shaft portion further includes a top supporting strap disposed on and connected to a top end of said lace layer and connected to said rear supporting strap.
 7. The boot as claimed in claim 6, wherein said top supporting strap is further connected to said side supporting straps.
 8. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes a top decorative strip disposed on and connected to an outer side surface of said lace layer and adjacent to a top end of said lace layer.
 9. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes a plurality of said lace layers.
 10. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes a mesh layer disposed on the inner side surface of said lace layer.
 11. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes a mesh layer disposed on an outer side surface of said lace layer.
 12. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft portion further includes two mesh layers disposed on the inner side surface and an outer side surface of said lace layer, respectively.
 13. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace layer of said shaft portion has a plurality of colors.
 14. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lace layer of said shaft portion is configured as a mesh layer embroidered with a lace pattern.
 15. The boot as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inner lining disposed on an inner side surface of said vamp portion. 